New Library Cards - Designed by Your Neighbors!
"Kindness" was the theme of the Library's recent library card design contest. We received over 60 submissions! Thank you to all the Berkeley patrons who sent in their incredible art and congratulations to the finalists.
Stop by any Berkeley Public Library location and pick out your new card:
Contest Winner: Marissa Wu (they)
“I was inspired by the theme of "kindness" to imagine what Berkeley might look like if life was centered around the public library, reflecting the library's values of community care, diversity, and joy. I believe that a society that prioritizes kindness would be a place where multigenerational community can flourish, affordable housing and clean transportation are abundant, and all neighbors take care of each other. Additionally, as public libraries around the country are facing disinvestment, I wanted to depict a world in which the opposite was true, and our public institutions were fully supported and thriving.”
Finalist: Andra Weber
"I was inspired by all the little kids I see visiting the North Berkeley Library where they flip joyfully through books, play in the atrium, and soak in all the library goodness. I noticed the library didn't have a card design that might appeal to kids. So I created the design to remind children of all ages, that the library is for everyone, kindness can be as simple as helping each other return library books and everyone deserves space to enjoy a good story...even cats and dogs!"
Finalist: Abigail Mullen
“I was going through a unit in school where we were learning about the cruelness committed to our First People throughout the United States. I had been thinking about what to submit regarding kindness when I came across an article in my school binder about First People. I wanted to submit an art piece that represented kindness no matter heritage or skin color, global kindness. I have been so inspired by all activists that work so hard to make the world a better place and hope I represented that in my submission. Love and kindness on a global level.”
Finalist: Alejandra Martínez
“My inspiration for the mixed media artwork is to show that humanity is kindness. We all come in difference shapes and colors. Displaying unity and kindness in color.”
Finalist: Ronald Chung
“I decided to communicate the word and meaning of "kindness" by utilizing both symbols and letters. I settled on my interpretation of the Berkeley Public Library building covered with kindness symbols graffiti and an Aesop quote (emanating from inside the Library).
Ultimately, I imagined the user action of going to the library, selecting a book and then pulling out the library card to check out. During the check out process, I want the user to be strongly reminded to be kind the rest of the day.”
October Event Highlights
Series: Story Time for Adults
North Berkeley Senior Center
Thursdays
11am
Don't Know Much About... Herpetology
Central
Mon, Oct 7
6pm
Teen-Moderated Author Visit: Dashka Slater
North
Tues, Oct 8
6pm
This will be a teen-moderated event, with members of Berkeley High School's Right Writers club interviewing Dashka, author of The 57 Bus and Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed. Following the discussion,there will be an audience Q+A and book signing. Books will be for sale at the event from Mrs. Dalloway's.
In the Stax Concert Series Continues:
Nyree: Singer-Songwriter & CIIS Certified Therapeutic Sound Practitioner
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thurs, Oct 10
6pm
Jim Carter: Songwriter & long-time M.C. at Freight & Salvage open mics
West
Thurs, Oct 17
6:30pm
Popping the Science Bubble: Cal Scientists Research Talks
Central or via Zoom
Tues, Oct 15
5:30pm
This month's topics:
- Light-bending black holes
- Light-sensitive proteins outside of the eye: can we use them to restore vision?
SlayerFest '24: A Buffy Event
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thurs, Oct 17
3:00-7:30pm
The Library's first-ever SlayerFest will have with Buffy-themed crafts and swag, trivia and costume contests with prizes, virtual guest star visits and of course, we'll take Spike's advice... finishing with a big group sing-a-long and getting our kum-ba-yayas you!
Tea Tour & Tasting
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wed, Oct 16
6pm
Fermenting Veggies
North
Sat, Oct 19
12pm
Kids' Author Talk: Why Does Voting Even Matter?
Central
Sat, Oct 19
12pm
Laura and Peter Limata – famous from Storytime with Mr. Limata - will help young readers (3rd-6th graders) understand what voting is and why it’s important. Kids will have a chance to talk about issues they care about, and make a poster to share their ideas.
Local Poet Reading & Discussion: Norma Smith
Claremont
Sat, Oct 19
2pm
Smith has lived in the East Bay since 1969. She has worked as a hospital clerk, union shop steward, radio producer, translator-interpreter (Spanish-English), and as a poet/writer and curator in the Bay Area literary community. She will read from her collection, Home Remedy.
Kids' Author Visit + "Draw Off"
Central
Sat, Oct 26
11:30am
Join author-illustrator Rachel Michelle Wilson as she celebrates her debut picture book, How to Pee Your Pants: the Right Way. Following a reading and Q&A, she will challenge picture book creators Bo Lu (Bao's Doll) and Eugenia Yoh (This is Not My Home) to a good, old-fashioned DRAW OFF. Audience members will have the chance to share suggestions and ultimately tell these creators what to do!
Halloween-Themed Events
Trick-or-Treat at all of our library branches on Thursday, October 31 from 3:30-7:30pm!
Plus, there are a bunch of Halloween-themed events happening at our libraries all month long...
- Halloween Crafternoons @Claremont
- Costume Lab: Create & Tinker with Costumes & Cosplay ideas @Central
- Costume Lab @West
- Costume Swap @North
- Pumpkin Painting @Tarea Hall Pittman South
- Halloween Cat Story Time (with Berkeley Animal Care Services) @North
- Halloween Musical Story Time with the Story Time Band @Frances Albrier Community Center
- Not-So-Scary Halloween Magic Show @West
- Halloween Tea Party @North
- Teen Scary Movie Night @Central
- Adult & Teens craft: Make a Monster Eye @Tarea Hall Pittman South
- Not-So-Scary Costume Parade + Story Time @North
- Halloween Special: Story Time Band + Fratello Marionettes @Freight&Salvage
Every Day is Halloween: A Goth (Vinyl) Listening Session
Central
Tues, Oct 8
6pm
This is the inaugural session of the Berkeley Record Club!
More October Events
Homeschool Weekly Fun Club
West
Mondays
2pm
Tweens: (Make) Beads for Every Body
West
1st Tuesdays
3:30-5pm
Free! Online News Subscriptions How-Tos (NY Times, Washing Post & More)
Central
Thurs, Oct 3
1pm
Community Wellness Dance Classes
North
1st & 3rd Fridays
2pm
Central
2nd & 4th Fridays
2pm
Introduction to U.S. Citizenship Process
via zoom
1st Thursdays (Oct 3)
2pm
Papel Picado Craft
Central
Sat, Oct 5
3pm
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Claremont
Mon, Oct 7
12pm
Watercolor for Kids
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Mon, Oct 7
3:30pm
Biking After Dark Workshop
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, Oct 12
1pm
Knit-teen Circle and Chill
Claremont
Every Wednesday, beginning Oct 16
4pm
Intro to Ancestry.com
West
Sat, Oct 19
11am
Berkeley Rep Docent Talk: The Matchbox Magic Flute
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Tues, Oct 22
6pm
LGBTQIA+ Strawberry Creek Stroll
West
Wed, Oct 30
4pm
mak-'amham/Cafe Ohlone
Cafe Ohlone @ Hearst Anthropology Museum
Wed, Oct 30
3pm
There is so much more happening at the Library!
Thank you to the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library for all you do to provide funding for Library programs & events!
Día de los Muertos Community Altar for Pets
Día de los Muertos is a two-day Mexican holiday honoring loved ones who have passed away.
This year North branch will create an ofrenda (altar) for pets who have passed away. Photos can be emailed to areeder@berkeleyca.gov or dropped off at library service desks through October 27.
Reading Buddies are Back!
Reading Buddies build confidence in young readers and makes reading fun! Kids in kindergarten through third grade are paired with a teen mentor to read together and play word games.
Reminder: Sunday Hours
Two branches are open on Sundays from 10am-6pm.
- Tarea Hall Pittman South - 1901 Russell Street (on MLK, near the Ashby Bart station)
- North - 1170 The Alameda
We love serving you, all weekend long!
Save the Date: Comic-Con 2024
Berkeley Public Library's 2nd Comic Con will be held November 9th, 2024 from 10:30am-4:30pm.
Join for an amazing day of speakers, artists, and more. Can you spot some of the guests in this poster?
Stay tuned for all the details on
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/bpl-comic-con-2024
Tremendous thank you to Eisner-winner Thien Pham for designing this year’s image!
Please Note:
All Library locations will be closed Monday, October 14 for Indigenous People's Day.
For more event info,
book recommendations and other fun things...
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Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704
510-981-6100
berkeleypubliclibrary.org